Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Synthesis of Primary and Secondary Metabolites in Three Varieties of Kacip Fatimah (Labisia Pumila Blume)

Mohd Hafiz Ibrahim,Hawa Z.E Jaafar,Zaharah Abdul Rahman,Asmah Rahmat

doi:10.3390/ijms12085238

Mohd Hafiz Ibrahim, Hawa Z.E Jaafar + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms12085238

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Abstract

A split plot 3 by 4 experiment was designed to examine the impact of 15-week variable levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg N/ha) on the characteristics of total flavonoids (TF), total phenolics (TP), total non structurable carbohydrate (TNC), net assimilation rate, leaf chlorophyll content, carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), phenyl alanine lyase activity (PAL) and protein content, and their relationships, in three varieties of Labisia pumila Blume (alata, pumila and lanceolata). The treatment effects were solely contributed by nitrogen application; there was neither varietal nor interaction effect observed. As nitrogen levels increased from 0 to 270 kg N/ha, the production of TNC was found to decrease steadily. Production of TF and TP reached their peaks under 0 followed by 90, 180 and 270 kg N/ha treatment. However, net assimilation rate was enhanced as nitrogen fertilization increased from 0 to 270 kg N/ha. The increase in production of TP and TF under low nitrogen levels (0 and 90 kg N/ha) was found to be correlated with enhanced PAL activity. The enhancement in PAL activity was followed by reduction in production of soluble protein under low nitrogen fertilization indicating more availability of amino acid phenyl alanine (phe) under low nitrogen content that stimulate the production of carbon based secondary metabolites (CBSM). The latter was manifested by high C/N ratio in L. pumila plants.

Highlights

Labisia pumila (Myrsinaceae), known as Kacip Fatimah, is an herb that has been widely applied as a decoction in South East Asian communities for a variety of illnesses and used as health supplements [1]
L. pumila extract is prepared by boiling the roots, leaves or the whole plant in water and the extract is taken orally and used to accelerate labor, shrink the uterus, improve the menstrual cycle and for weight loss [5].The antioxidant activity of the aqueous L. pumila extract has been reported as providing significant protection to human dermal fibroblasts and from cell damage caused by UV irradiation [6], most likely due to the presence of secondary metabolites, i.e. flavonoids and phenolics [7]
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different nitrogen levels on photosynthesis rate, carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N) ratio, chlorophyll content, primary, secondary metabolites, soluble protein and phenyl alanine lyase activity (PAL) activity in three varieties of L. pumila

Summary

Introduction

Labisia pumila (Myrsinaceae), known as Kacip Fatimah, is an herb that has been widely applied as a decoction in South East Asian communities for a variety of illnesses and used as health supplements [1]. This plant has a long history of use by Malaysian women to ease childbirth as well as to treat post partum illnesses and, is popularly known as the “queen of plants” of all Malaysian herbs [2]. Phenolic acids receive considerable attention because of their protective role against cancer and heart disease This role may be attributed to their antioxidant activity, which was reported to be higher than vitamins C and E, against reactive oxygen species [14]

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